{"id":2386,"date":"2019-01-03T08:24:02","date_gmt":"2019-01-03T08:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=2386"},"modified":"2021-07-20T18:40:20","modified_gmt":"2021-07-20T18:40:20","slug":"15-natural-remedies-that-successfully-treat-swollen-feet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/15-natural-remedies-that-successfully-treat-swollen-feet\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Natural Remedies That Successfully Treat Swollen Feet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Are you suddenly experiencing swollen feet that feel puffy, painful, and wonder what it is? It means that you have peripheral edema. It refers to the abnormal buildup of excess fluid in the lower extremities of the body. The fluid build-up is caused by the body\u2019s inability to transport blood and fluid backward due to gravity. This results in legs, ankles, and feet swelling.
There are various factors that contribute to peripheral edema.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The common causes include prolonged immobility, pregnancy and use of medication with swollen feet as one of the side effects. However, it may be a sign of serious health condition such as diabetics, congestive heart failure or kidney disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to podiatric Georgeanne Botek, DPM in the Cleveland Clinic, swollen feet restrict free movement, there\u2019s no curative solution. It\u2019s about management in order to get through the day. These 15 natural remedies that successfully treat swollen feet are just what you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Magnesium Supplement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before you start panicking, you should figure out the primary cause of your swollen feet. Sometimes it could be a deficiency of some important minerals such as magnesium<\/a>. The deficiency of magnesium in the system can lead to edema. The best way to alleviate the swelling would be to take a magnesium supplement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Mayo Clinic, magnesium has properties that help to reduce water retention in the body. Therefore, adding the recommended 200mg to 400mg to your diet twice a day should help you to get rid of the swelling in your feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not specified whether magnesium supplements can cause issues to kidney and heart disease patients. However, if you are pregnant, it would be ideal to consult your doctor before taking a magnesium supplement. This is because you could probably be already taking it through the prenatal vitamins and from the special \u2018pregnancy\u2019 diet program that you follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Epsom Salt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Epsom salts<\/a> are the best for treating swollen feet that are accompanied by pain. Adding a few scoops into water will do wonders. Epsom salt has crystals of hydrated magnesium sulfate, which easily get absorbed by the skin and are capable of treating soreness in muscles. With these properties, the salts work magic on fatigued calves, ankles and feet soles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone can use Epsom salt to treat feet pain because they are gentle on every skin type. Doctors recommend the use of Epsom salts for injuries and infections, even arthritis patients can add them in their baths. The best time to use Epsom salts for swollen feet pain relief is before bedtime. This will allow feet to fully heal as you will be relaxed. However, they can also be used at any time of the day and the treatment session should be at least 15 \u2013 20 minutes to have effective results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Hot\/Cold Baths<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is another natural way that you can use to successfully treat your swollen feet. Not only does it alleviate pain and swelling, it is also very easy to do. Also, water is within easy reach for any time you would feel like your feet need therapy. The contrasting temperatures promote efficient blood circulation in feet and throughout the body. If your feet get sufficient blood supply, the pain eases and inflammation subsides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned above, this method is easy as it only needs hot and cold water and 2 buckets. What you would have to do, is to have half-filled buckets with hot and cold water. First immerse your feet in hot water, switch to cold water and immerse them back in hot water. You should do this for 25 minutes for effective results. You should be able to see a change in the swelling<\/a> just some minutes after the treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Yoga<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Effective treatment of swollen feet involves having sufficient blood circulating in the affected area. This makes yoga a good remedy as it encourages blood circulation. If blood is able to flow freely without being obstructed by any blocked veins or valves, fluid will not be able to accumulate in one place. Rather the lymphatic system<\/a> will flush out the excess fluid that\u2019s causing swelling in feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The yoga postures that assist with the swelling usually include gentle stretching and flexing of toes and feet. Blood circulation is usually improved when feet are elevated above the heart. Thus, the inversion pose of lying on the floor and lifting legs up definitely does the trick. Yoga can be practiced by anyone and anywhere, but those who have mobility problems might need assistance when doing it. In addition, pregnant women should only do gentle poses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Baking Soda<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is so surprising that this troublesome and painful feet condition can be treated by some of the everyday use items found in your home. The baking soda, as simple as it is, has various health benefits that can significantly change people\u2019s lives. It is listed under the natural remedies that successfully treat swollen feet because it has abundant anti-inflammatory properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The anti-inflammatory as the name suggests is responsible for dealing with swelling and tenderness<\/a> of the skin due to injury or other health conditions. Most people use anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling. But, this can also be found in non-medicinal items like in baking soda, and still, serve the same purpose. For more effective results, the baking soda is combined with rice water. This method improves blood circulation in the affected area. These two can successfully absorb excess fluid that has pooled up in the feet, alleviating swelling and pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Tootsies Elevation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elevating feet will help reduce the swelling of your feet. This is another way of dealing with gravity as the major culprit of swollen feet. Putting your feet on a platform that is slightly above your heart<\/a> will stimulate the trapped fluid to start moving and be flushed out of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carrying out this exercise will definitely give you the relief you need. Depending on the severity of the swelling, you would need to do this frequently and probably on a daily basis, to have more satisfying results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elevating your feet usually helps when you have had a long day at work or school and your feet are swollen. It could be from sitting or standing for a long time. It will stimulate blood circulation in the painful area and this will make you feel a lot better. However, it may not work for other conditions, but it\u2019s worth trying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Essential Oils<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soaking your feet in essential oils is another natural remedy for swollen feet. The term ‘essential’ means that the oils have the essence of specific plants. These oils don\u2019t only reduce the swelling, but also have natural relaxing capabilities. They are sometimes used for reducing stress and anxiety<\/a> through their natural beautiful scents.
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There are various variants that people can use, depending on the aroma they love. The most common oils that people use include peppermint oil, lemon essential oil, and eucalyptus oil. There is no designated method to use these oils, you can pour them in your bathing water or just use a feet soak tub instead. Instead of using only one type, you can combine the oils to have a unique scent that will help you relax. Oils are mostly used when you are doing a self-hypnosis technique to relieve pain. Use them repeatedly until the swelling subsides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Foot Massage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After spending the whole day on your feet, running around getting errands done, feet get swollen; blood gets restricted to flow to and fro the feet. In other instances, feet get swollen because you would have sat down for a long time. In these cases, a foot massage<\/a> would do the trick in reducing the swelling, in addition to helping you relax. Massaging the affected area stimulates blood flow to affected parts, leading to reduced swelling and eventually pain relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have enough money to spare, you can get a professional massage, but it\u2019s not a complicated procedure; anyone from your partner or child can help you out. Essential oils along with carrier oils can be used for massaging; they will promote quick healing due to their relaxing scents. Depending on the intensity of swelling and pain, some people prefer a gentle massage, whilst others would need you to apply more pressure for effective results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Ice Packs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the most traditional and successful way that people use to deal with swollen feet. It has the same effect as the cold bath, in terms of the temperature contrasting technique used. Usually used in cold therapy, ice reduces the blood flow to the affected area. When blood flow is reduced, the nerve activity is reduced and the swelling goes down.
Even though they are effective in reducing the swelling, ice packs should not be used by people with sensory disorders, especially as a home remedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with sensory disorders don\u2019t feel other sensations, thus they might not feel that the ice if causing further damage to the affected area. Diabetes patients should not use ice packs to treat swollen feet; their nerves can be easily damaged. It is important to know that ice packs can only be used on the swelling; they shouldn\u2019t be put on stiff joints or stiff muscles<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Cabbage Leaves<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As peculiar as it may sound, cabbage leaves have helped people to reduce swelling in most parts of the body, including the feet. Cabbage<\/a> is used to treat swollen feet because of its great absorption abilities. If wrapped around swollen feet, it successfully drains out excess fluid in the affected area. Not only does it have these water draining qualities, but it also contains healing and anti-inflammatory properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both white and green leaves can be used for swelling relief purposes. They should be put in the freezer and let them cool, but not freeze. Put all the leaves on the swollen area, the best way would be to wrap the feet with the leaves and leave them for 30 minutes. The cabbage leaves will drain the excess fluid accumulated in feet tissues. You can repeat the process after some time to effectively remove all the excess fluid and get relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Apple Cider Vinegar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Apple cider vinegar<\/a> has so many health benefits including relieving swelling of feet. It is very high in potassium, making it able to eliminate water retention in the system which is the major cause for swollen feet. The procedure includes soaking a towel in warm, diluted apple cider vinegar and wrapping your feet. Or, you can take it orally through drinking it or including it in your diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When taking it orally, mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar in a glass of water, add natural sugar such as honey for taste and drink it. You can do this twice a day for fast results.
Soaking your feet in apple cider vinegar will help or prompt your body to flush out the excess liquid stored in feet tissue. The relief effects are more visible when you drink it, it will urge you to frequently urinate, thereby flushing out body toxins (fluid buildup).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Tonic Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People use tonic water to treat their swollen feet. They attest that it is a great remedy that helps them to deal with pain and inflammation associated with edema. Tonic water contains quinine, which is used to prevent and treat malaria<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The quinine in tonic water has anti-inflammatory properties which can help with swollen feet. If your feet easily swell, due to uncomplicated causes like sitting or standing for long hours, you can keep a number of bottles ready in the refrigerator for when you come home. Or, substitute it for other carbonated beverages like soda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also soak your feet in tonic water for the same relief effects. Mix tonic water with lukewarm water and immerse your feet for not less than 15 \u2013 20 minutes. Rinse your feet with lukewarm water and moisturize the skin in order to keep the tonic and moisture locked in for effective foot hydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Water Diet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Incorporating something as simple as water<\/a> into your diet helps you to live a healthy lifestyle without health complications. Drinking enough water helps to alleviate inflammation in your feet. It may be confusing that you have to drink a lot of water when you are trying to get rid of water retention in your system. But, the water retention taking place in your system is sometimes caused by not consuming adequate water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the body is deprived of water, it gets into water starvation mode, whereby it thinks that it needs to store water that you will need later – water retention. But, if you drink enough water, it will flush it out together with toxins and only store water needed by the body for that particular time. To treat swollen feet, incorporate a lot of fluids into your diet. These can be juices, tea, and fruits but mostly water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Sodium Reduction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Limit salt intake. This is because excess salt retains fluids in the body, which is what causes swollen feet. Also, sodium can be dangerous to your kidneys and heart. Basically, reducing the consumption of sodium<\/a> prevents fluid accumulation in your lungs, heart, and lower limbs, including the feet. How does salt cause water retention? The body only needs a small amount of sodium for its function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, when you consume too much salt, the system stores too much water as a way of diluting the excess salt that it didn\u2019t use. This leads to water retention and eventually swollen feet. When there is excess fluid in the body, capillaries are prone to leak some of the fluid on the tissues, leading to edema. Studies suggest that African American people over 51 years old and have blood pressure or are diabetic, shouldn\u2019t consume more than 1, 500mg of sodium per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Barley Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This remedy works effectively for swollen feet that result due to pregnancy. During pregnancy, hormones shoot up, the body posture changes and eating habits change drastically. This promotes weight gain and eventually, swollen feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barley<\/a> water helps with these symptoms as it contains diuretic properties. These properties stimulate the urge to frequently urinate, thereby, losing excess water in the system. This is how barley water works as a remedy for swollen feet. Even though some beverages can increase the rate of urination, barley water is healthier to consume, that is why it is usually used by pregnant women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barley water doesn\u2019t have a great taste that\u2019s enjoyable, thus it can be difficult to stick to it at first. But, there are fruits such as oranges and strawberries which can be used to flavor the water. It is also a good source of fiber and magnesium. Magnesium properties will further help to reduce the swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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